Many citizen’s of Bloomington are skeptical about the city’s capital projects. Much of it stems from construction of the coliseum and renovation of the Bloomington Performing Arts Center (BPAC) over ten years ago.
At the same time, in addition to those expenditures, the city constructed a fire station that wasn’t needed and was never opened as well as a water tower that was too short to function and was affectionately nicknamed “stubby.”
Today Bloomington is partially funding a $25.2 million library expansion project that is under construction and a $13.9 million swimming pool project is being constructed at O’Neil Park. Neither of these projects have enjoyed widespread community support. However, like them or not, both projects are under construction. Those ships have sailed.
$25.2 Million Bloomington Library Expansion Under Construction
Recently the Bloomington City Council voted to spend $225,000 for repairs to the Market Street Garage. The vote was 4-3. Those who voted against it did so because the problem of facing the life end of the garage has been known to the council for over ten years. Some councilmembers believe it is time to stop kicking that can down the road.
However, in this case, those who voted to kick the can one more time had a good reason to do so. There may be a white knight, in the form of Connect Transit, coming to the city’s rescue. Connect Transit is currently looking at the garage site as its first choice for its bus transfer center.
That project is still in its early stages. Connect Transit is working closely with the City of Bloomington to determine whether the Market Street Garage site is best for both parties.
Connect Transit General Manager David Braun said, “Key issues that will influence the decision include … the number of parking spaces available, location of parking while the site is being built, value of the land and ownership and responsibility issues concerning the demolition of the existing deck, costs of building, long-term maintenance and operations, potential retail space and other nuances.”
Connect Transit Authorizes Spending $1.46 Million for Maintenance
Because Connect Transit is using federal dollars for the project they are required to conduct a study to show they have followed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.
According to Braun, “The study considers the impact of the proposed facility on the surrounding area (lighting, vibration) as well as environmental issues that might be present on the site and any potentially historical aspects of the site and surrounding buildings that would require more sensitivity, preservation, or other mitigation factors.”
Braun told us the study will also help to define what federal and state funds might be available for the project. Connect Transit expects to complete the study and receive approval from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by early 2023.
But what happens if Connect Transit doesn’t choose the Market Street site. That’s not out of the question. Connect Transit’s first site choice was the old Pantagraph building and adjacent parking lots. That site didn’t work out because the cost was likely to be more than what was allocated for the project. If the Market Street site doesn’t work out then Bloomington is stuck with a dinosaur.
According to Russell Waller, Director of Facility Management, there would be two options. The first would be demolition and replacement with a new garage and the second would be demolition, redevelopment of the site and providing parking in other downtown locations.
Demolition and redevelopment of the site might include construction of a surface parking lot. Assistant Manager Billy Tyus has said the estimated cost of demolition alone might be $2 million.
The latest addition to the capital project equation was recently announced by City Manager Tim Gleason. It’s not a new issue. It’s one that is coming back to life. Apparently the somewhat still new manager wants to take his shot at Downtown Streetscape improvements.
Many have wondered why Bloomington has built up a $25 million reserve. This appears to be the reason. The Downtown Streetscape project is estimated to be a $25 million to $30 million undertaking.
The manager is suggesting the downtown area be designated a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. This is nothing new either. The downtown area has been designated as a TIF district before. At that time no developers were interested.
Gleason envisions narrower streets and wider sidewalks to increase walkability as well as provide room for permanent outdoor dining. He visualizes an electric trolley system. Gleason believes the focus needs to be on Main and Center Streets. He would also like to have a downtown parking study included in the streetscape plan.
According to Public Works Director Kevin Kothe, “The City is working on developing a contract with a consultant to do some conceptual planning work for downtown streetscape improvements.”
Gleason is planning to ask the council to approve spending $750,000 for the development of a Downtown Streetscape Master Plan this month.
The City of Bloomington finds itself in a situation common to government in general. While the general public looks to government to provide basic needs (streets without potholes, clean water, and drainage systems that don’t flood basements with sewage) special interest groups are always knocking at government’s door begging for funding for glamor projects.
An effective tool for managing this problem is an overall capital improvements plan. Bloomington doesn’t have one. An overall capital improvements plan is best put together with public involvement. That way the public can have their input on what capital projects they believe their city needs in coming years. When public involvement is done appropriately the result is community support for the plan.
Then, with such a plan in place, when a special interest group comes knocking, Bloomington could effectively show the interest group the needs it already has that the community supports. The problem to be solved then becomes where in the plan does the special interest group’s project may fit. An overall capital improvement plan could go a long way towards restoring Bloomington residents faith in their city government.
